Monday, December 26, 2011

Shown below are photos of my outfit of the day for Christmas Day.. I struggled a little trying to decide what to wear, but I finally ended up layering a really cute lace dress under a metallic sweater, and it turned out great! Hope you all like it! :)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

In my opinion, there are certain shoes that are must-haves for Fall and Winter. These are not necessarily the shoes you use once in a lifetime (such as heels, etc), but more the shoes that are very versatile and that you'll definitely find are a great piece to be able to fall back on. These shoes are some of my personal favorites, as well as shoes I recommend or just see as a great piece for your closet:

1. Riding Boots

These babies are my foundation for Fall. Seriously. If you don't already have a pair, you definitely should look into getting some! They come in a ton of different colored leathers, with different buckles, etc, on them. Riding boots go really well with any pair of skinny jeans, a sweater, or a dress. Tights, Leggings, and Jeans all look great with these boots. Also, try wearing boot socks or legwarmers inside of them so that they peek out a little from the top, as in the picture. (Not only does that help to keep you warmer, but with the right thing, it's adorable!)

2. Ugg Boots

Uggs are great for Fall and Winter. They come in a ton of different styles, heights, colors, and designs, so anyone can find at least one pair that suits their style and personality! I own the black sequined Uggs (shown above), as well as plain gray Uggs, which are great when you want something comfortable that goes with pretty much everything. Most Uggs also include a super-plush fur lining inside, which adds to the comfort and warmth of the shoes. They also have a decent tread on the soles, so tackling icy winter days usually isn't too much of a challenge here! Also, I do know that there are a lot of Ugg knock-offs, but if you have the opportunity to opt for the real deal, definitely do! They hold up much better than the fake brands, and they are of a much higher quality.
(By the way, I am not payed to promote any of these brands. My thoughts are from personal experience and I only want to share what I know!)

3. Rain Boots

Seeing this, you may be rolling your eyes. Rain Boots? Seriously?! Yes. Rain boots may not always be the most fashionable thing, but if you can find the right pair, you're as good as gold. For example, look at the photo above. The glossy red boots accented with adorable red ribbons on the back will automatically brighten up any outfit. Of course, these would be best with a more neutral outfit, since too many colors in one outfit is NEVER a good thing, unless done correctly. Wear rain boots on the days with the worst weather; the weather may be trying to get you down, but with these boots, not only will your feet stay perfectly dry, but you will also look upbeat and cute in these boots. One brand I really recommend checking out is Hunter. Their rain boots are great, the quality is amazing, and they come in a bunch of styles and colors. Whether it's purple, yellow, red, or blue, pick the boot that best fits you! :D Haha, yes, I went there.

4. Mocassins

Mocassins are a great in-between shoe to wear during the cooler days of fall and the warmer days of winter. They come in a huge variety of colors (whether you're looking for a bright color, a metallic, or a more traditional neutral) and styles. They can be plush and warm, or simplistic and cooler. This is a great shoe for anyone, because mocassins are so widely popular, and they're made to tailer to both men and women of any age group. Once again, these aren't probably the shoe you should choose to wear with your little black dress or your designer skirt, but mocassins are a great shoe to have in your closet for more laid-back fashion days.

5. Sorel Boots

Sorel boots are a great piece to have in your closet for when the weather turns bad. They resemble a more-fashionable snow boot, but the company designs a wide variety of styles, fabrics, and colors for you to choose from. They are very waterproof, so rain, snow, and ice is never a problem. Plus, a great tread on the bottom of the shoe allows you to walk easily without slipping. You are able to choose Sorels with unique patterns, colors, etc (top left), or opt for a more traditional version that will still look fashion-forward for winter. Whatever you pick, Sorels will allow you to stay warm and dry while still looking cute on those aweful winter days.

Hey everyone!
For today's post, I wanted to do an Outfit of the Day to give you all a little inspiration for what to wear when you have to dress nicer or even a little formally for a dinner, party, or dance! I wore this outfit out to dinner with some friends for my birthday, and I got a ton of compliments from friends, etc. Of course, it was a little cold when I wore this, so I paired the outfit with a black sweater just for when I was outdoors.
I loved the dress; it had a keyhole cutout in the middle, and because it's a simple black and white, I can always reuse it another time and still change up the rest of the outfit! It's a great piece to have in your closet because it's so versatile. Also, I'm not usually a huge fan of "classic" color schemes that are so often used, but the black/white/red of this outfit really worked well, so I didn't mind afterall! I paired the dress and shoes with a chunky statement necklace, and that was all the jewelry I needed!
Hope you enjoy! :)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Hey everyone! Hope you are all having a great morning!
For this post, i'll be doing what I like to call a "Product Review". Basically, within each post with that title, i'll choose one product, whether it's a hair product, makeup, fashion item, etc, and i'll describe it and rate whether it's a good product or a product worth leaving on the shelf. Also, towards the end of the post, i'll be including step by step instructions on how to use this product.
So, for today's Review, I have chosen the Conair Infinity You-Curl Curling Wand. The product looks like this:

You can find this product at any Walmart for about $30, which is a great deal considering how well it works. And basically, the curling wand (if you've never used one before) is a curling iron that does not have a clamp to hold your hair in place. All you have to do is section your hair off, wrap around the wand, release, and Hooray! you have the perfect curls. The curling wand is also great because it allows your hair to be curled in a variety of ways, whether you want tight ringlets or loose waves, and the hold lasts all day. It does take a bit of practice and experimenting to find out what heat setting works for you, and how to properly curl your hair with it, but it's pretty user friendly, and anyone can learn to use it (I find it much easier to use than a normal curling iron).
The only downfall to this product is that it is much easier to burn yourself, as compared to a regular curling iron. This iron does come with a glove, but I didn't find it very helpful, and it made handling your hair a huge hassle. With a little practice, this isn't usually a problem.
The iron includes five different heat settings that range up to 400 degrees, so I recommend trying a lower setting before you attempt the top heat level. Also, whether you choose the lowest setting or the highest, I definitely recommend that you use some sort of heat protectant product in your hair before you start curling. This will keep hair hair from getting burnt or damaged, and I think it can actually help hold your curls better. Hairspray is also a must have in order to keep your curls all day long. So, overall, i'd rate this product a 10! :)

Here's my Tutorial on how to curl your hair:

1. Plug in the curling iron, and set it to the heat that you will be using (I recommend starting with the 2nd or 3rd heat).

2. While your iron is heating up, spray a generous amount of heat protectant throughout your hair. If you need an example of a great heat protectant, I use the "Curl Activator Spray" by Tresemme Thermal Creations. Not only does the product guard your hair from heat, but it also helps to hold the curls! This product looks like this:

3. When your iron is ready to go, section your hair off by running a horizontal line with your thumbs right above your ears. Pin the rest of the hair out of the way, leaving you with only the very bottom section of hair.

4. Divide the hair into 1-inch sections, choose one section, and wrap the hair around the wand. Hold for a few seconds, and release. Repeat the processes 3-4 until all of your hair is curled. Also, if your hair does not usually hold curls well, use a little hairspray on each curl to strengthen them!

5. When you are finished, you might end up with tight ringlets. If this is the case, and you prefer the look of softer waves or loosened curls, simply comb your fingers through your hair until you have the desired look! This takes a little practice, since you have to know which heat setting works best for you in order to get the desired effect.

**Here is a video of a tutorial that shows how to use the Conair Infinity You-Curl Curling Wand: (Warning: The girl in the video uses her iron on the highest heat setting, and holds her hair for 15 seconds. DON'T do this!! You will fry your hair and damage it forever. Try lower settings first!)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Happy Monday! :)
Let's keep this sweet and to the point! The Following items (listed below) are the accessories that I feel every girl should own:
(**I will be doing a separate post on Shoes that every girl should own soon!**)

1. Brown leather, braided belt.

This belt makes my list, because it can be worn in a million ways. You can simply use it as a belt with your favorite pair of jeans, or use it to belt a dress of longer sweater. Any way you use it, it's a simple piece that helps to add something to your outfit. I recommend a brown leather, because it tends to go with a lot of different fashion pieces, such as a neutral sweater, or a bright dress. If you don't already have one, I really recommend this!

2. Diamand Stud Earrings

This type of earrings are my ultimate favorite! Obviously, they don't actually have to be diamond. But any "diamond" stud with silver backings is the perfect jewelry piece that automatically helps to boost your look, and make you feel more confident. No matter what you wear, these will help you feel a little bit nicer. They go with practically everything, and even thought they're understated, sometimes that is much better than a giant pair of hoops or dramatic dangle earrings. Three words: Keep it simple!

3. Statement Handbag:

Choose a bag that comes in a bright color! It's a great piece to have when you want to include a pop of color and interest in your outfit. I recommend finding a color such as this green, teal, or a coral color (my favorite!). Don't go for the brightest purple or orange you can; you don't want to look like a can of neon paint exploded onto your purse. It's better to pick a more unique color that looks less tacky. It's also best when the bag has some silver or gold details on it, as shown above. The best statement bags are usually leather, since they tend to look a bit more expensive, even if you did find it on sale ;) Just remember, only use this piece if your outfit doesn't already include a lot of other bright colors. You NEVER want to walk out of the house looking like rainbow bright.

4. Fabric Scarves

Fabric scarves are a great way to spice up a dull outfit. (Knitted ones are also great, but those are usually only for colder weather, and they are sometimes work a different way anyways.) I recommend having at least one neutral (gray, cream, navy, or black) and one bright colored (yellow, blue, etc) scarf. Only wear brights with neutral outfits (remember, looking like rainbow bright is a VERY BAD thing.. usually, one interest piece in an outfit is enough.), but you can use neutral scarves with various outfit types. Plus, scarves are pretty much a year-round accessory, if you know how to use them correctly!

Well well well! I've only been dreaming about starting my own blog since forever, but today's the day! My first post! :) I just want to welcome you all to my blog, "Fashion: A love story", and I hope you stay tuned for what's coming. I don't have much yet, but in the future, i'll be blogging about things such as style advice and tips, reviews on products, and tutorials on all sorts of things! Please keep in mind that anything I blog about embodies MY style, so if you don't like it, I won't be offended! I do think that I have a lot to offer, and i'd love to also get to know other bloggers and what their opinions are as well! I hope you enjoy my blog, I can't wait to get posting!! :)
Much Love, Haley.